Living Missionally | Acts 17:16-34

Summary

In Athens, Paul saw a city full of idols and was moved to share the good news of Jesus. TA taught through the second half of Acts 17, which reminds us that we were made to worship Jesus, but we often give our worship to other things. As we turn our own hearts back to Jesus, we can faithfully share him with others and trust God with the results.

Key Takeaways

Living missionally is about Jesus getting the worship that belongs to him from others. We were made for Jesus, but idolatry gives someone or something else the attention, affection, and devotion that belong to him. As we recognize and repent of idolatry in our own lives, Acts 17 shows us how to engage people who do not yet know Jesus.

• The right feeling: Be stirred by idolatry. When Paul saw the idolatry of Athens, his spirit was provoked (Acts 17:16). We should care when people are looking to something other than Jesus for what only he can give.
• The right action: Reason with people. Paul didn’t rant about the Athenians or retreat from them; he moved toward them and engaged in thoughtful conversation (Acts 17:17). In the same way, we can intentionally engage with people who do not know Jesus by:
  • Praying
  • Befriending
  • Inviting
  • Sharing
• The right mechanics: Engage thoughtfully and clearly. Paul modeled several practical ways to engage people with the gospel (Acts 17:22-31):
  • Connect before you convict
  • Find the right starting place
  • Build a case for how Jesus is different
  • Appeal to purpose
  • Use culture
  • Call people to repentance
  • Put people in front of Jesus for judgment

Trust God with the results. Some mocked Paul, some wanted to hear more, and some believed (Acts 17:32-34). Our responsibility is to faithfully point people to Jesus and leave the results to God.

Discussing and Applying the Sermon

• Where are you most tempted to look for joy, satisfaction, security, or significance apart from Jesus? Where do you need to repent of idolatry and return your worship to Jesus?
• When you see people around you looking for life apart from Jesus, are you more likely to rant, retreat, or reason? What tends to keep you from moving toward people with the gospel?
• Who has God already placed around you who does not know Jesus? Consider starting a “Top 10” list—or simply start with one person. How can you intentionally pray, befriend, invite, or share with them this week?
• Paul adapted how he engaged the Athenians without changing the truth he shared (Acts 17:22-31). What could it look like for you to listen well, understand someone’s starting point, and clearly show them who Jesus is?
• Acts 17 ends with different responses to the gospel: some mocked, some wanted to hear more, and some believed. Where are you tempted to take responsibility for someone else’s response? What would it look like to faithfully take your next step and trust God with the results?